Two Worlds of Blood and Power

Chapter 8 - Welcome to Venusia

Venusia Empire
Date Unknown

Avery Jade

Claustrophobic is one hell of an understatement. I've tried to rematerialize, break free of this sterling prison, but it's impossible to take a breath. Which, I guess, is the whole point of being locked in mist form for transportation. I'm trapped in a bracelet. A fucking bracelet.
     My particles can swirl in a circle as if I'm stuck in a vortex. I can spot random shimmers of green and purple as the bracelet's jewels hit the moonlight. I can barely hear the soft rushing of wind as we traverse the ocean toward an empire I'm nervous of entering.
     And despite these insane circumstances—a new world, magic existing, and special abilities I can attain—my mind stays concentrated on my piece of shit father.
     In a small town like Whispering Woods, there are no movie theaters, or skating rinks, or anything even remotely fun. There's nothing else to do but get drunk, get high, or get fucked. I've been around my fair share of it all, but I've never indulged in any of the hard stuff. Just alcohol, the occasional joint, and some—heavily contracepted—sporadic fucking. Mmm, Roman.
     But that orange pixie-powder my dad had locked away in his desk drawer went beyond hard stuff. I've never seen anything like it, not once in my shady friend groups or dealers I have come across.
     Such a small amount packed a deadly punch. It slowly paralyzed me, kept me conscious while it cast me to stone­­, and all from what, a teeny sniff and a dab of my pinky finger. Curiosity, quite literally almost killed this cat.
     I've always known my dad had a penchant for cruelty and torment, but I never thought him capable of inflicting it on anyone aside from me. At best, he's a druggie or a dealer. At worst, he's a predator. Sadly, based on those name-labeled USBs hidden in the same drawer, the latter is more likely. The very thought of him drugging someone and...it's unfathomable to imagine.
     He's always infuriated me, but this shit downright sickens me. Disgusts me. It only stokes the fire of my motivation to get home...to irreparably fuck his life up and get Zoella away from that psychotic lunatic.
     A clicking sound wrecks my train of thought, and before I know it, my body hits a marbled floor veined with glittery green. Before getting back on my feet, I blink away blurriness, and what comes into focus instantly bedazzles me, leaves me breathless.
     Jagged, obsidian walls rises to a peak high above me where countless orbs of white light float and form themselves into chandeliers. It looks like I'm in the hollow of a crystallized mountain with real stars artfully illuminating a room so bright it's as if the moon is also a guest here.
     There are chaise lounges in varying deep colors, sporadically placed tea tables, and gorgeous men and women occupying them all in their own bubbles of conversation. And in the middle of it all, a feast with all of my favorite foods and fixin's; the smell is intoxicating and elicits an appetite bordering on painful. This is one hell of a fancy cafeteria.
     And centered behind the most beautiful mound of fried chicken I'd ever seen is a tall, slim woman with skin the color of wheat. She has a sheet of glossy black hair with candy red bangs symmetrically framing her heart shaped face. Her presence is intimidating. The leather bustier, leggings, and knee-high boots ensemble gives me gothic dominatrix vibes.
     "Welcome, dear," the leather lady says with the softness of a mom hosting a dinner party.
     I did not expect that greeting.
     "Did you have a safe journey? Did this silly little shadow talk your head off along the way?" She grinned at Calypso.
     "If I hadn't stepped in to save her ass, her head would be off somewhere anyways," she shrugged, and leather lady looked perplexed. "But see, she's all in one piece. Happy?"
     "Well, she does look a bit more emaciated than I had imagined. I can practically see her skeleton."
     "Then I guess you both have some things in common." The sound of someone choking on their drink comes from somewhere in the background. "I'll be going now." She looks at me with a small smile. "May your evolution prevail. Be safe." Then she was gone, dissolved to air.